SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake Police K9 officer stricken with cancer has died.
Troll, a German shepherd that had been with the department since January 2006, died last Friday, police said.
"Naturally, there's a bond that develops between the officer and the dog and when something like this happens, it's hard on everyone," said detective Dennis McGowan.
The animal was diagnosed with an untreatable tumor in mid-April.
Troll was a good narcotics dog and excelled at tracking and searching for people, police said. Even in his final week of life, he caught four felony suspects, the last coming a day before his death.
The K9 officer captured 71 suspects during a six-year career.
Troll and his trainer, Salt Lake officer Cale Lennberg, took home more than 30 individual trophies during a variety of competitions.
— Aaron Falk